Rear axel install direction question?

[Larry]

I seem to remember this came up on the old board last year at some point. Since there has been a recent rear bearing install thread by Valkaholic and a pic of the rearwheel set up from the manual was posted I thought this might be important to repost here. My question is, does it make a difference which way the rear axel is installed? The pic shows the axel head on the brake side, but mine has the axel head on the pumpkin side. 

[Marky D]

Hi Larry,

The axle's head (the end with the allen key socket) goes on the pumpkin side.

Best Regards,
Marky D
#10420

[PatrickDoss]

I believe the reason the diagram is different is because the axle on the 1500 Goldwings actually does go the other way, and somebody was too lazy to research it before drawing.

[Big IV]

Might make a difference getting everything mated together correctly. Might not. I'm going to leave mine where it is.

[Kamikaze VRCCDS#0119]

The head of the axel, the allen socket end, goes on the final drive side, the right side. The axel can be installed the opposite way, many, like myself, do this temporarily when removing and installing the wheel for alignment purposes. The axel being installed from the left or brake side would not cause any malfunction as far as the bearings, alignment, etc. are concerned since all distance issues between components are handled with spacers BUT there is a strong possibility of the nut having interferance with the exhaust on the right or final drive side due to clearance issues if the axel is installed opposite like a Goldwing 1500.

[Larry]

Thanks, the clearance thing with the axel nut makes sense. Also the axel head just looks "prettier" on the pumpkin side. 

[trantony]

If you have stock pipes on your Fat Lady, the nut will not clear the pipes if you put it on pumpkin side.
Just my 2 cents.
Leon #1860
Ride safe and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.